Secret Medicine Secured

After locking Alexandra up, Harry left her alone.

He waited until her withdrawal symptoms kicked in.

Harry only wanted the Secret Medicine anyway. As long as the other four Fingers were willing to talk, she had no value left.

When Harry saw the woman again, her eyes were bloodshot, her face was pale as paper, and all four limbs were trembling.

"Poor woman." Harry clapped his hands and shut off the surveillance feed.

"Looks like you people aren't very good at choosing leaders."

Harry crossed one leg over the other as he spoke to the elderly woman before him.

It was Madam Gao. The shrewd old woman had returned to New York City.

Hearing Harry's words, she could only smile and nod.

"Mr. Osborn truly is an outstanding young man. In less than two days, you cured Governor Osborn's illness."

Madam Gao got straight to the point.

The key behind this war had always been the Dragon Bone Secret Medicine. If nothing had happened to Norman, the Hand and Harmony Society would never have set its sights on the Osborns, and Harry would not have decided to strike at the Hand and Harmony Society first.

But the Dragon Bone was ultimately meant for Norman. Now that Norman had been cured, what use was the Dragon Bone?

What Madam Gao wanted to know was this—just how much bargaining power did the Dragon Bone still have?

As for continuing the fight under these circumstances—Madam Gao was not addicted to drugs, so Harry could not influence her thinking.

"Madam Gao, stop speaking in riddles with me. I think you're a very wise elder. After all, you took my advice last time."

Harry was referring to his warning for Madam Gao to leave New York City.

Madam Gao had not only left New York City, but had also wiped out all the evidence. As a result, the previous Operation had not directly affected the Hand and Harmony Society.

"Dragon Bone Powder—I still need it. But as you can see, it's no longer such a high priority. So the terms remain unchanged: the Secret Medicine, your departure from New York City, and Rand Corporation's shares. Of course, I'll offer you some compensation."

Facing Madam Gao, Harry could no longer charge in recklessly as he had before.

The Hand and Harmony Society was not Kingpin. Kingpin was a local Gang; they were a global organization.

If they truly clashed on that level, it would inevitably have some impact on Osborn.

"Regarding this matter, I know you don't care much for the drug trade. We can pull all drug trafficking out of New York City, but a complete withdrawal from New York City is something the others will not accept."

Madam Gao's terms were simple. They could make concessions, but they would not yield completely.

Harry knew exactly what they were planning.

"I know you've been digging for Dragon Bone beneath Midtown all this time. And once the Dragon Bone is excavated, New York City will be finished."

Harry's words changed Madam Gao's expression—this was the worst-case scenario. Harry knew everything.

"Besides, I also know that you don't have much Dragon Bone Powder left."

In other words, they could not play their resurrection trick many more times. The Hand and Harmony Society's power had also reached a historic low.

"If that is the case, then you should know that we won't withdraw from New York City."

Harry shook his head.

"Madam Gao, you still don't understand. If you leave New York City, you can search for Dragon Bone elsewhere. But if you refuse to leave, you'll all be staying here today."

"If you agree, then this is a deal."

Harry spread his hands.

Madam Gao's expression flickered uncertainly.

But what else did they have left to offer?

"We'll withdraw from New York City. Fine. But we can't give you Rand Corporation."

After pondering for a long time, Madam Gao ultimately decided to end this war.

As for the Dragon Bone, with Osborn guarding the Dragon Bone beneath New York City, they had no chance of excavating it anyway.

If they did not reconcile with Harry, they would be finished right now.

The Hand and Harmony Society was at its weakest point. They could not afford any more turmoil.

Compared to the original timeline, they had not yet resurrected Borto or Elektra. Resurrecting ordinary people did not require much Secret Medicine, so at least they would have some left after giving Harry his share.

"...And we want Power Armor."

Hearing that, Harry nodded indifferently.

"Of course. Fifty units, though they'll be older models. If I remember correctly, Fisk seems to have stolen some already."

Seeing Harry nod, Madam Gao smiled as well, though it was not a pleasant smile.

At least there was some good news.

"Then this explosion was also planned by Fisk?"

"Of course. He's a Gang emperor. It's not surprising at all that he could pull something like this off from prison. Unfortunately, his plane crashed. Maybe that was divine punishment."

The two shook hands.

"...After days of investigation, we have finally discovered that the mastermind behind all this is the same person who planned the Hell's Kitchen bombing more than half a year ago."

"Wilson Fisk."

"Even in prison, he used his remaining influence—especially with the backing of foreign forces—to carry out this series of terrorist attacks, and was preparing to escape justice step by step through a prison transfer."

"But fortunately, thanks to the tireless efforts of newly appointed Governor Norman Osborn, the NYPD, the courts, the National Guard, and various agencies coordinated their efforts and successfully exposed the Fisk Crime Empire lurking in the shadows."

"Unfortunately, by the time we found evidence proving his connection to all this, he and the officials involved had already boarded a plane."

Everyone watching the television sighed, and some even cursed out loud.

But the host showed no regret. Instead, he seemed almost gleeful.

"This plane."

The television showed news footage from several days ago about a plane that had been struck by lightning and crashed.

"Talk about getting what they deserved, right?"

After the report ended, Matt looked at Harry.

"You tampered with the plane?"

Harry spread his hands. "No."

Although Matt felt Harry was not lying, he still felt that something was off.

"By the way, do you know about meditation?" Harry asked mysteriously.

Matt froze for a moment. The word meditation reminded him of when his teacher had trained him long ago.

He had needed to learn to control his senses, to imagine himself as a weapon rather than a person. It had multiplied his combat ability.

That had been a kind of meditation too.

"I recently discovered some interesting... techniques. Close your eyes—no, no, you don't need to close your eyes."

Matt spread his hands, unsure of what Harry was trying to say.

"Imagine it. Imagine what you look like, imagine the people around you..."

Matt raised an eyebrow at Harry, who also paused—Matt seemed to already be in a state close to meditation at all times.

Harry tapped his forehead. Eager to demonstrate, how had he forgotten that?

"Fine, then you're already in the right state. Wait a moment."

Harry closed his eyes and began meditating.

In Matt's perception, Harry's vital signs gradually weakened. If Harry had previously been like a volcano at every moment, he now seemed to be entering hibernation.

As Matt focused his attention, he sensed something from Harry connecting to his mind—

It was the feeling of anger!

"How... did you do that?" Matt had a strong resistance to such things and did not lose control.

Harry opened his eyes, not expecting even his strongest output to fail to shake Matt's emotions.

Still, even ordinary people could easily notice such an emotional shift.

Unless they had suffered some kind of mental damage—for example, drug addiction.

"It's a theory, not quite science in the usual sense."

A theory of strengthening one's will in a particular aspect in order to influence reality.

"Like how he trained me..." Matt nodded thoughtfully.

The "he" Matt referred to was his master—Stick.

Speaking of Stick, now that Harry had beaten the Hand and Harmony Society into rats scurrying across the street, what was left for these street-level heroes to do?

He would have to find something for them to do later.

Starting with Matt.

"So what did you come to see me about this time? You couldn't have come just to show off your 'new theory,' could you?" Matt tapped the table.

"Of course not. Remember what I told you last time? Are you interested in becoming a judge?"

Matt's qualifications were well suited for work in the judicial system.

He had graduated from Columbia University's law program, possessed an excellent record as a lawyer, and had extensive experience.

As for the vacant judgeship, Norman was now the Governor. Many things could be arranged.

"Your idea is dangerous." Matt frowned.

"But your record truly is outstanding. You were the one who put Fisk behind bars. What you lack is a powerful patron, and Osborn can be that patron."

"Justice is blind, so is there anyone more suited than you?"

Harry folded his hands and watched Matt.

As for Daredevil, there was one thing he had to admit: there was indeed only so much street-level heroes could change.

"I won't become one of Osborn's people. You know that."

"Of course I know."

Harry spread his hands. "You're righteous, but justice is on Osborn's side."

After thinking for a long while, Matt nodded.

"Excellent! You'll receive a recommendation from Governor Norman Osborn. The hearing will be held soon, so get ready."

Norman clapped his hands and pulled a stack of documents from his briefcase.

"Prepare according to this."

Matt accepted the documents, still feeling somewhat unaccustomed to it.

The process of applying to become a judge was normally long and exhaustive, but Harry had already paved a golden road for him.

That was exceedingly rare in his life.